Centurion: South Africa-India, Australia-England clash in ‘Boxing Day’ Test matches starting today. It is customary in those countries to call cricket matches the day after Christmas ‘Boxing Day’. South Africa-India, Australia-England clash in the ‘Boxing Day’ Test matches starting today. South Africa-India: The Indian team, which is touring South Africa, will play 3 Tests and one ODI each. The first Test starts today at Centurion. One day, Kohli will be making his Test debut for the first time today, not as the captain of the T20I. It is also the first Test India will play overseas after Rahul Dravid took over as head coach.
Besides, India have not won any of the seven Test series played in South Africa so far. Has only drawn once. So the Indian team is serious about winning the series this time. Bumra, Shami and Ishant are likely to have a chance as they are favorable domains for fast bowlers in South Africa. Next up are Umesh, Siraj and Shardul. Among the spinners, Ashwin and Jayant can be seen on the field.
Among the batsmen, Kohli, Rahul, Rishabh and Mayang will definitely get a chance. Rahul confirmed yesterday that there is a chance for 5 bowlers. Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vikari, seniors Raghane and Pujara along with Priyank Panchal, who replaced Rohit Sharma, are waiting for the remaining two places in the squad. The South African team, led by Dean Elgar, does not have all these problems. Playing locally and old winning histories are positive aspects for that team. In addition, De Gock, Rabada, Keshav, Keegan, NGD Markram and Bauma are additional strengths for the team. There will be no shortage of excitement in the game as both teams will fight to start with a win with balance.
Australia-England: The England team that is touring Asia is playing in a five-match Test series. The loss in the first 2 Tests is trailing 0-2.
The 3rd Test begins today in Melbourne as the Boxing Day Test. Only England captain Joe Root and David Malone continue to play well. Others like Butler, Stokes, Burns, Vokes are playing roughly. The Aussie team will use it to try to capture the series. The return of Captain Cummins to the squad is an added strength for the Aussies. Warner, Lapushen, Smith, Stark and Marcus are already on the team. The team that gets the most out of it gets the winning Christmas gift.
* India
Kohli (captain), Rahul (captain), Raghane, Mayank, Ashwin, Shami, Bhumira, Siraj, Rishabh (wicket-keeper), Pujara, Shreyas, Viruthiman (wicket-keeper), Ishant, Hanuma, Umesh, Shardul, Jayant, Priyank Panchal (Introduction)
* South Africa
Dean Elgar (captain), Bauma (captain), De Gock, Charlotte, Hendrix, Marco, Cicanta, Keshav, Markrum, Mulder, NGD, Olivier, Keegan, Rabada, Rickelton, Glendon, Duson, Gale Branlen Suprian (Introduction) .
So far …
* These 2 teams have played in 14 Test series so far.
* South Africa have won 7 series and India 4 series. The remaining 3 series ended in a draw.
* South Africa capture 6 of the 7 series in South Africa, ending in a series draw.
* Out of 7 series in India, India have won 4 series and South Africa one series. 2 more series ended in a draw.
* In total the two teams have clashed in 39 Tests.
* South Africa have won 15 and India 14 Tests. The remaining 10 Tests were drawn.
* India are 4-1 up in the last 5 Tests between the two teams. In the last 4 Tests, India has continued to win.
Corona Corner
* The Victorian state government has said that all players attending the Aussie Open Grand Slam tennis tournament, which starts in Australia next month, will only be vaccinated. World number one Novak Djokovic of Serbia says, ‘It is the right of every individual to be vaccinated or not. There is no need to say it out loud. ‘ So if the injection is not given, the government came down with ‘quarantine’ for 14 days. However, it has been reported that Djokovic will not be competing in the men’s ATP Cup in Sydney ahead of the Aussie Open. So the question is whether he will participate in the Aussie Open.
* The English Premier League football series has suffered due to a corona infection for players. So the league management talked to the team managers. Tottenham manager Antonia teased him, saying, “This consultation is a waste of time.” But Manchester United manager Ralph Ranging has insisted that ‘all players should be vaccinated against corona’.